Torpedo-launching means for aeroplanes



ay F. w. HAMMER TORPEDO LAUNCHING MEANS FOR AEROPLANES Filed Aug. 6, 1924 I falling.

Patented 'May 10, 1927.

rmrz w. HAMMER. or LICHTERFELDE. NEAR BERLIN HAMMER CORPORATION, A CORPORATIOlV GERMANY, ASSIGNOR QENEW YORK.

TORP-EDO-LAUNCHING MEANS FOR AEROPL ANES.

Application filed August 6, 1924, Serial No. 730,520, and in Germany October 4, 1923, p

The present invention has relation to a novel and improved method of launchingtorpedoes from aeroplanes, and to means for carrying out the same.

In launching torpedoes from aeroplanes, one method employed has been to discharge the same vertically downward while ap-. proaching the object attacked "at the high velocity necessarily maintained in heavierthan-air flying machines.

Specialsteerin'g planes'on the torpedo cause it'to assume a down 'a'rdly slanting forward direction before it strikes the water.

This requires a special constructhm of the launching tube as well as depending upon the use of special apparatus upon the torpedo itself to change its position while In other cases a forwardly pointing torpedo is discharged forwardly from a launching tube which may be shifted or" adjusted in vertical or horizontal plane; and again in some cases the torpedo has been simply released and allowed to drop into the i 3 water, pointed forward, while the aeroplane was moving toward the object attacked. The

torpedo reaches the water in a direction and,

with a speed determined by the directionand flying veloci'tyof the aeroplane from 3 which it is launched.

. This mode of operation has the advantage of a simplicity, but on the other handit makes it impossible. to. enploy any structure under the'aeroplane body which might (bstruct the free 'descentof the torpedo. e vices for launchin in this manner can ,tl1ercfore only be emp oyed with aeroplanes not provide with the transverse under bracing essential to combined li htness and strength.

'40 Inasmuch as the torpedo and its launching means add greatly to the total weight, this impairment [of strength is a serious disadvantage; v

Another very important disadvantage of the former methods of launching is that thetorpedo necessarily partakes of the very high velocity found advantageous in the operation of aeroplanes. This subjects the torpedo to a very violent shock upon striking the water, producing undue strains often leading to damage; and,-moreover, the velocity of \the' torpedo in .-the water is thus raised beyond that which'is suitable for its efficient operation.

The'present invention does away with all these disadvantages while making it possible to employ known launching means. but in a new way. It is also to be understomlthat this invention may be applied to the'discharge of bombs and the like, whether intended to fall vertically from the point occupied by the aeroplane at the moment of discharge or otherwise. i

The underlying principle of the inventiol lies in the discharge from the aeroplane either directly backward or in a direction having. a material I backward component, so that the torpedo or bomb moves forward .with a velocity less than that .of the aeroplane. by an amount equal to the rearward velocity with which it is discharged from the aeroplane. In the case of bombs this rearward velocity may be made equal to the forward velocity of the aeroplane where vertical descentis desired. Indeed it is 'within the invention to make .the rearward discharge velocity greater than the forward velocity of the aeroplane. I

In the case of .torpedoes, the rearward discharge velocity is considerablyless than the forward velocity of the aeroplane, and the torpedo, pointed forward, is discharged backward on an inclined position pointeddownward.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a diacourse. be here shown, but it maybe made to suit the conditions to be met and the tra 'jectorydesired. The tubes 2 may be fixed or adjustable as desired. By the use of launching means thus placed, the torpedo 3 may be discharged rearward from the torpedo,'u ni1npeded by transverse bracing means under, it; the

torpedo being ejected tail first, preferably inclined pointdown. In Figure 2, the distance findicates the velocitv of the flying machine in the direc tion of the accompanying arrowgwhile t indicates the oppositely directed lower velocity tin It is therefore clear that 1" t will represent to resultant or residual forward velocity of the torpedo with relation to the eiirths surface. A I Any suitable launching tube, whether of character already well known or otherwise,

my hand on this 18th day 0% J uly, 1924-? may .be employed without departing from the broad scope of the invention.

upward and rearwar 1- direction from beneath the aeroplane. I

In testimony whereof I have hereto set AMLIER 

